In my previous post on “The Pillars of Good Health” I mentioned that strength training is critical to good health. We need to keep our muscles toned and strong. This helps in many ways including injury prevention, weight control, and general life joy.

Most people resist joining a gym for many reasons. Whether you do not want to pay a gym membership or feel uncomfortable in a public setting, a gym is not necessary to tone your body.

One of my favorite sources of free workouts is Darebee.com. The exercise detailed there range from the very basic to the extreme — take your pick, they have a challenge for you!

So click over to Darebee.com and find an exercise routine that you like and that will challenge you. If their workouts help you achieve your fitness goals, please consider making a donation to their site. Consider how much you would have to spend to get this information elsewhere, and you know you would be saving lots of money (not to mention time) by using the workouts at Darebee.com.

Enjoy … and be careful and safe! Remember to consult your doctor before starting any new fitness program.

Include strength training three-four times per week. Four basic exercises that require no equipment, can be done anywhere, and that will benefit your whole body: squats, push-ups, lunges, and crunches.

Remember to stretch as part of all fitness activities, and add regular Yoga to your fitness program if possible. There are many forms of gentle Yoga that can be done by most people, even while sitting at a desk at work.

Rest

Sleep is a must for good health!

Rest also includes unplugging from stress and electronics: do fun things that help you relax and have fun!

We achieve great rest when we connect with others; strong family and friend relationships are great help for a healthy lifestyle.

The usual, mandatory disclaimer: it is recommended that you consult with your doctor before making drastic changes to your diet or beginning any exercise program.